This unit throws open immense possibilities of a thriving diamond

Heralding a new chapter in the industrial development of Bihar, the state's first diamond processing unit was inaugurated at the Patliputra Industrial Area here on Thursday by chief minister Nitish Kumar. The unit has been set up by a leading diamond and jewellery firm of the country, Shrenuj and Company.

This unit throws open immense possibilities of a thriving diamond cutting and polishing industry in the state as about 30% of skilled workers in the diamond hub of Surat are said to belong to Bihar. The new unit currently employs 150 skilled Bihari artisans brought from Surat. When fully operational, the unit will employ 1,500 diamond workers, said Shrenuj's group executive director, Vishal Doshi, on the occasion.

In his remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Nitish took a dig at his bete noire Lalu Prasad without naming him. "Some people used to say that not even a needle factory has come up in Bihar. But now, a diamond unit has been launched by a Gujarati diamond magnate, Shreyas K Doshi, the CMD of Shrenuj and Company. We are happy that Doshi chose this state which sends skilled labour to the diamond industry of Surat and Mumbai," the CM said, adding the diamond processing unit would make huge investment by using small space and generate employment.

Doshi also presented a diamond piece produced at the unit to the chief minister for display at Patna Museum.

The processing unit is located on the second floor of Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) building, which also houses the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) office on the ground and first floors. Soon, the BIS office will be shifted and the whole building will be handed over to the diamond unit. The unit will then have a capacity of handling three lakh diamond units per month.

"The event has marked an industrial revolution of sorts in Bihar," said the chairman of Bihar Foundation, Ravi Shankar Srivastava, who got fulsome praise from CM Nitish Kumar and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi for his untiring effort to bring the unit here. Kumar also credited the Bihar Foundation for its efforts to set up a leather hub at Fatuha industrial area by utilizing the skilled leather workers of Dharavi, Mumbai.

Vishal Doshi said the processing unit in Patna will boost the exports of the company, which has direct access to rough diamonds from Botswana and South Africa. CMD Shreyas Doshi said that retail growth of gem and jewellery sector has been robust over the past decade. Shrenuj planned to increase its footprint in diamond jewellery retail in India.

A wide range of wedding gowns is the centre of attraction at the sixth International Wedding Exhibition and Fashion Show (IWED) inaugurated yesterday at the Doha Exhibition Centre.

Known as one of the region’s most prominent wedding exhibitions, IWED was opened by Walid Atallah, a Lebanese designer, together with Mohamad Ahmad Al Obaidaly, a member of the board of Qatar Chamber.

Designers are showcasing their best wedding gowns and more than 100 wedding arrangement experts are promoting their products and services at the four-day event.

Gowns from well-known brands like Marchssa, Lazaro and Enzoani, and designers from the region are being showcased at the exhibition. A bridal gown at IWED would cost between QR15,000 and QR40,000, depending on the fabric, design and the designer, according to exhibitors.

However, the exhibition goes beyond wedding gowns. Visitors to IWED can see a wide range of products and services that can be used to organise a memorable wedding. On show are traditional abayas, shoes, handbags, cosmetics, hotel facilities, floral arrangements, jewellery, cakes and much else one could need for the big day.

“We have over 100 exhibitors from 15 countries showcasing their products and services this year, and we are expecting over 15,000 visitors,” said Hadi A Ali, chief executive officer of Qatar Expo, the organisers of IWED.

Speaking of future plans, Ali said, “Next year, the expo will include a section for grooms, which is lacking in IWED.”

There are fashion shows on all four days of the exhibition, with locally and internationally renowned designers showing off their contemporary creations.

Husam Taha from Star Academy will grace the expo as a special guest, bringing a new flavour to IWED by serenading the crowd with songs and music composed exclusively for the show.

IWED will be open to the public until Sunday from 3 pm to 10 pm. Tomorrow will be a ladies only day. Children under 14 years are not allowed into the expo.